. Jalbum 8.5 slides/garage.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Our garage back in the summer before we started Our garage back in the summer before we started slides/garage.jpg slides/11-25tree1.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 November 2007. Our first Thanksgiving.. And it snowed!!! November 2007. Our first Thanksgiving.. And it snowed!!! slides/11-25tree1.jpg slides/static.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Another View of Snow in November 2007 Another View of Snow in November 2007 slides/static.jpg slides/100_0044big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Hinged Base - Checking Level. After it sets, I'll unbolt until Thanksgiving. Hinged Base - Checking Level. After it sets, I'll unbolt until Thanksgiving. slides/100_0044big.jpg slides/100_0787big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Our Swedish Foriegn Exchange Student helping 'prep' light strings... Cutting off the stupid UL labels that annoy me. Our Swedish Foriegn Exchange Student helping 'prep' light strings... Cutting off the stupid UL labels that annoy me. slides/100_0787big.jpg slides/100_0049big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Each guy line anchor has 2 80lb Bags of concrete. The base has 3 Bags. Each guy line anchor has 2 80lb Bags of concrete. The base has 3 Bags. slides/100_0049big.jpg slides/100_0058big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 I made a loop with Stainless steel cable for the anchor. It's just below mowing level. I made a loop with Stainless steel cable for the anchor. It's just below mowing level. slides/100_0058big.jpg slides/100_0630big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 That's me securing the guy lines and taking the ropes off. That's me securing the guy lines and taking the ropes off. slides/100_0630big.jpg slides/100_0644big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Pretty Cool View to the North Pretty Cool View to the North slides/100_0644big.jpg slides/stringingsmall.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Each strand in the Mega-Tree is actually a clear and multicolor string wrapped and zip-tied to a 14 gauge THHN wire. Each strand in the Mega-Tree is actually a clear and multicolor string wrapped and zip-tied to a 14 gauge THHN wire. slides/stringingsmall.jpg slides/closeupbig.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 It got REAL crowded in a hurry.. Next year, we're adding Red and Green just below, but I'm running the string back down a couple of feet, so the plugs aren't so congested. It got REAL crowded in a hurry.. Next year, we're adding Red and Green just below, but I'm running the string back down a couple of feet, so the plugs aren't so congested. slides/closeupbig.jpg slides/connecting.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Look ma! No Hands! Look ma! No Hands! slides/connecting.jpg slides/100_1292.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 We cut 18" pieces of rebar, then bent a 'j' hook. Once we pounded it in, then the lights strings 'core' 14 gauge wire is pulled tight with turn-buckles. This kept the strings from flapping in the high wind. We cut 18" pieces of rebar, then bent a 'j' hook. Once we pounded it in, then the lights strings 'core' 14 gauge wire is pulled tight with turn-buckles. This kept the strings from flapping in the high wind. slides/100_1292.jpg slides/100_1293.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 I mounted 2 16 channel controllers about 15' below the connection point... Wish I'd went on to base, but was running short of 18/3 wire. I mounted 2 16 channel controllers about 15' below the connection point... Wish I'd went on to base, but was running short of 18/3 wire. slides/100_1293.jpg slides/100_1210.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 We used 18/3 Thermostat wire heavily in 2007. We cut the ends off the strings that didn't need them, then soldered and taped them on circuit cables using a common neutral. We used 18/3 Thermostat wire heavily in 2007. We cut the ends off the strings that didn't need them, then soldered and taped them on circuit cables using a common neutral. slides/100_1210.jpg slides/100_1215.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Most of our display had clear and multicolor lights in 2007. Channels 1-8 are clear and 9-16 are color. (I group them though by color in LOR) Most of our display had clear and multicolor lights in 2007. Channels 1-8 are clear and 9-16 are color. (I group them though by color in LOR) slides/100_1215.jpg slides/100_0786big.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 The main yard grid is on 16" centers, 3 rows per channel, 46 channels. The main yard grid is on 16" centers, 3 rows per channel, 46 channels. slides/100_0786big.jpg slides/100_1220.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Taking down the diplay begins. IT will take 100 18gallon totes. Taking down the diplay begins. IT will take 100 18gallon totes. slides/100_1220.jpg slides/100_1226.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Blake labeled each tote. Unfortantely, he leaves for Texas Tech before it's time to unpack them! Hope I understand. Blake labeled each tote. Unfortantely, he leaves for Texas Tech before it's time to unpack them! Hope I understand. slides/100_1226.jpg slides/100_1198.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Rolling up yard lights- 240' on the long side of yard. Both clear and multi are wrapped onto 1" PVC Rolling up yard lights- 240' on the long side of yard. Both clear and multi are wrapped onto 1" PVC slides/100_1198.jpg slides/100_1203.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 We stopped at halfway and tied the bundle, then here I'm sticking a wire tie up the pipe. Blake will then slide the lights off and I'll grab both ends and tie... We stopped at halfway and tied the bundle, then here I'm sticking a wire tie up the pipe. Blake will then slide the lights off and I'll grab both ends and tie... slides/100_1203.jpg slides/tower2.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Now Shannon runs to my rescue and eases it on down.. Now Shannon runs to my rescue and eases it on down.. slides/tower2.jpg slides/11-31lights1.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. slides/11-31lights1.jpg slides/11-31lights2.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. slides/11-31lights2.jpg slides/11-31lights3.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. Photo taken November 2008 by Sam Kaufman, Andrews County New. slides/11-31lights3.jpg slides/IMG_0522.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 A limo full of folks from Odessa Texas posed for a picture. A think they were having too much fun A limo full of folks from Odessa Texas posed for a picture. A think they were having too much fun slides/IMG_0522.jpg slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 080.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Taking Tower down Jan 2009. We thought it would work this way. It didn't. A 1/2" rope goes over to a pulley on a large forklift, over to pulley on trailer hitch of Chevy, then out to street to my Pickup. We thought we could move the pickup forward slowly and ease the tower down. The rope stretched at least 50'. Taking Tower down Jan 2009. We thought it would work this way. It didn't. A 1/2" rope goes over to a pulley on a large forklift, over to pulley on trailer hitch of Chevy, then out to street to my Pickup. We thought we could move the pickup forward slowly and ease the tower down. The rope stretched at least 50'. slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 080.jpg slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 081.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Frame 2 as it builds speed. The truck hasn't even pulled forward. Frame 2 as it builds speed. The truck hasn't even pulled forward. slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 081.jpg slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 082.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Frame 3. The pipe stand we had set to eventually sit it on has in the worst position. The tower slams into it, bending two sections. The star we had left on the top smashes into the ground. Frame 3. The pipe stand we had set to eventually sit it on has in the worst position. The tower slams into it, bending two sections. The star we had left on the top smashes into the ground. slides/2009-03-30 Kodak 082.jpg slides/IMG_0839.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 October 2009 - Our plan to raise the tower this year would be to use front-end loader to 'push' it up, but since it's 75', it extends to our neighbors yard. In order to get the loader under it, we lift it up first and set it on a spare tower section so that the loader can drive around and under it. October 2009 - Our plan to raise the tower this year would be to use front-end loader to 'push' it up, but since it's 75', it extends to our neighbors yard. In order to get the loader under it, we lift it up first and set it on a spare tower section so that the loader can drive around and under it. slides/IMG_0839.JPG slides/IMG_0859.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 My son makes a good bossman. My son makes a good bossman. slides/IMG_0859.JPG slides/IMG_0860.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 I'm wondering if this was such a good idea.... I'm wondering if this was such a good idea.... slides/IMG_0860.JPG slides/IMG_0882.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Now that the loader is positioned under the tower, I stand in the bucket to supervise and make sure the wiring and guy wires don't hangup. Now that the loader is positioned under the tower, I stand in the bucket to supervise and make sure the wiring and guy wires don't hangup. slides/IMG_0882.JPG slides/IMG_0886.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 It sure seems to have gotten heavier this year! It sure seems to have gotten heavier this year! slides/IMG_0886.JPG slides/IMG_0912.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Almost there. Almost there. slides/IMG_0912.JPG slides/IMG_0933.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Our County agreed to cut a temporary exit through one of our 'excellent' neighbor's vacant lot. We're hoping that this will greatly reduce the extreme traffic jams on our dead end street. Our County agreed to cut a temporary exit through one of our 'excellent' neighbor's vacant lot. We're hoping that this will greatly reduce the extreme traffic jams on our dead end street. slides/IMG_0933.JPG slides/IMG_0946.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 One of our first shots a couple of days before Thanksgiving. We've added the Red and Green to the yard, as well as some blue. One of our first shots a couple of days before Thanksgiving. We've added the Red and Green to the yard, as well as some blue. slides/IMG_0946.JPG slides/rwb.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Ariel Shot from 2009. I couldn't help putting the Red, White, and Blue into the show! Ariel Shot from 2009. I couldn't help putting the Red, White, and Blue into the show! slides/rwb.JPG slides/100_0478.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 How the 'Beam of Light' is made. The 100' 'Beam' is two 50' sections. One has a wiring harness going on down, and one going up to the tower. Each has a wiring harness and 3/16" guy line in the center. Each 3' long channel is a 100ct string of mini's, zip tied back and forth, and connected the the wiring harness. Then the complete assbly is pulled up to the tower and zip-tied to the 'real' 3/16" guy wire. (I left it loose so it would slide and so the bulbs wouldn't be too tight against the 'real' guy wire.) How the 'Beam of Light' is made. The 100' 'Beam' is two 50' sections. One has a wiring harness going on down, and one going up to the tower. Each has a wiring harness and 3/16" guy line in the center. Each 3' long channel is a 100ct string of mini's, zip tied back and forth, and connected the the wiring harness. Then the complete assbly is pulled up to the tower and zip-tied to the 'real' 3/16" guy wire. (I left it loose so it would slide and so the bulbs wouldn't be too tight against the 'real' guy wire.) slides/100_0478.JPG slides/100_0479.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 Another picture of the 'Beam of Light' taken when we taking it down. This end is pulled tight to the guy line anchor alongside the 'real' guy line. Another picture of the 'Beam of Light' taken when we taking it down. This end is pulled tight to the guy line anchor alongside the 'real' guy line. slides/100_0479.JPG slides/100_0485.html# Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:52:25 -0600 A 'naked' 75' tree on a cold February morning during disassembly.... A 'naked' 75' tree on a cold February morning during disassembly.... slides/100_0485.JPG